A RAFT of measures aimed at salvaging Australian shipping has been proposed by the Maritime Union.
Union heavy hitters Paddy Crumlin and Will Tracey were in Melbourne this week for the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee inquiry into the Australian shipping industry.
The union measures were:
- provide tax incentives to support investment in ships, ship-related infrastructure, and local seafarers;
- reform the seafarer visa system to improve maritime security and support skills investment;
- reform legislation and regulations governing coastal trading;
- create a national strategic fleet to guarantee fuel security and enhance the nation’s economic security;
- develop a strategic approach to maritime workforce development; and
- Introduce better ship safety and pollution reduction measures to protect Australia’s coastlines, tourism industry and oceans.
“There’s no question that Australian shipping is in crisis,” MUA national secretary Paddy Crumlin said.
“Since 2013, we’ve lost more than half our remaining coastal fleet, leaving the country with just 12 large trading vessels to carry our growing coastal cargoes.
“With the right political leadership and policy settings, this dramatic decline can be arrested and our shipping industry can be rebuilt.”
Mr Crumlin said ongoing political inaction was draining the national economy.
“Each Australian vessel that is lost is replaced by foreign ships that don’t pay tax here, don’t employ local seafarers, and don’t support local maintenance and service businesses,” he said.
“The result is a major drain on the economy, with the use of foreign vessels to transport Australian resource and agricultural exports, along with coastal cargoes, estimated to be costing the nation more than $8 billion a year.”
Mr Crumlin said research suggested current coastal cargoes were sufficient to sustain between 50 and 60 additional Australian ships.
“But we need the political will and right policy settings if Australia is to once again become a shipping nation,” he said.
Mr Crumlin outlined the union’s vision to save Australian maritime industries through both reforming cabotage laws and creation of a new strategic fleet.
This would be achieved by expanding on the nation’s expertise and innovation in several maritime sectors including:
- offshore oil and gas exploration, construction, production and transportation
- opportunities in the emerging offshore wind farm sector
- defence shipbuilding arising from the Government’s existing $80bn investment in the sector;
- civilian shipbuilding, particularly aluminium hulled ships;
- expedition cruise shipping and other forms of marine tourism; and
- Marine and oceanographic research.
This would result in a maritime cluster that would be a significant economic boost to the nation.
“At its core, government policy must aim to maintain and grow Australian maritime skills,” Mr Crumlin said. “As an island nation, we depends on maritime skills to operate our ports, our regulatory and safety agencies, our freight and logistics sectors, tourism, and offshore oil and gas industries.”
